Dougherty County Commission approves funding, grants

ALBANY — Dougherty County commissioners finalized issues discussed during last week’s work session with binding votes at their business meeting Monday morning.

Approval of equipment purchases, renewal of significant grants and appointment of an Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Services Board member were quickly dispatched by the board, which:

— Rescinded the awarding of a contract to Don Jackson Chrysler Dodge of Union City for a 2015 Dodge Durango that was to be used by the Dougherty Sheriff’s Office because the vehicle did not meet county specifications and instead contracted with Wade Ford of Smyrna for a 2016 Ford Explorer;

— OK’d the purchase of six mobile camera systems for the Dougherty County Police Department at a cost of $28,302, which is available in SPLOST VI funds;

— Approved Aspire’s recommendation to add Dougherty Coroner Michael Fowler to its board to meet new requirements that are part of Senate Bill 349;

— Gave the go-ahead for Juvenile Court officials to apply for a $300,000 Functional Family Therapy Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant that requires no local match;

— Agreed to allow the district atorney’s office to apply for the $66,667 Violence Against Women Act Grant that requires a county match of $16,667 in in-kind services.

Rita McVey with the Dougherty District Attorney’s Office said funding from the Domestic Violence Grant would finance a staff State Court prosecutor.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Albany High School 4-H’ers Charlie Baker IV and Kiedon Bryant were recognized for placing among the top club members at the recent 4-H State Congress competition. Baker, who graduated from AHS and plans to enroll in Morehouse State College in the fall, finished first in his competition, while Kiedon, a rising Albany High sophomore, finished fourth.

County Extension Program Assistant Dawn Feller introduced the 4-H members.

“I heard the term ‘master 4-H’er’ used, and I want everyone to know that’s as high as it gets,” District 6 Commissioner Anthony Jones, who worked with the Dougherty 4-H program before retiring, said. “I’m proud of you; keep up the good work.”